Why apply for RGHPI funding?

Are you a physician or medical trainee partnering on a project with an underserved community in British Columbia, Canada, or internationally? If so you can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to support a global health partnership project with a Canadian or international partner. The goals of this initiative are to enhance capacity for generalism in rural BC; to foster reciprocal learning in diverse health systems and community contexts; and to demonstrate how global health and planetary health (local and international) community partnerships can heighten awareness, create innovative solutions to address healthcare challenges, and lead to improved health outcomes, especially for underserved, marginalized, and Indigenous populations.  Projects that address the health impacts of climate change, especially to vulnerable populations are eligible.

Note that rural physicians partnering with First Nations communities on projects (either research or non-research projects) are also able to apply for this grant.

Application package

To be eligible, applicants must be either a British Columbian:

• physician practicing rural medicine and a demonstrated interest in global health; or
• medical trainee (resident or medical student) with a demonstrated commitment to practicing rural medicine and interest in global health. The applicant partner(s) may be based in rural underserved communities in British Columbia, other parts of Canada, or internationally.

Projects must demonstrate a commitment to ethical partnership and aligned goals among all participants and participating communities and be based on the following principles:

• The project will significantly contribute to enhancing generalism and strengthening local capacity in health services of underserved rural communities.
• The project will result in sustainable benefits to partner communities.
• The project proposal reflects an evidence-based approach and provides clear rationale, methodology, and objectives consistent with the goals of the RGHPI.
• Expected project outcomes are well-defined and achievable.
• The proposed budget is reasonable and in line with the objectives of the project.
• Partner communities and organizations have been significantly involved in the development of the project goals, expected outcomes, methodology, and evaluation process.

Activities ineligible for funding include:

• Tuition costs for courses
• Salary remuneration for applicants
• Projects where no clear partner in the community served is identified (e.g., NGO, community organization, institution)
• Projects where the primary focus is transient clinical service delivery by foreigners
• Projects where the partner community is not significantly involved in determining project focus, goals, methodology, and implementation

To apply for the RGHPI, download, complete and submit the two forms below, along with the required supporting documents to [email protected].

We encourage applicants to reach out to us while in the process of developing the proposal. The application deadline is October 31, 2024. Please note that only complete applications including all supporting documents will be reviewed.

1. RGHPI guidelines and application form
2. RGHPI project proposal form
3. Current CV of applicant
4. Letter(s) of support from participating global health partner(s) (international or local: Community organization, institution, First Nations band council)
5. Physicians, please include a letter of support from your community of practice hospital chief of staff or medical director. Students and residents, please submit a letter of support from a faculty advisor or supervisor.

Anyone with any questions can contact Dan Harper at [email protected].